Choosing the right bulb for your crystal chandelier

Bulbs. They can seem like such simple things to purchase. Light is light, right? Not exactly.

The light that comes from the fluorescent lights you might find in your office is completely different from the light that pours from your beautiful chandelier.

This is thanks to the various colour temperatures that light emits. Woah, sounds a bit too technical? Stick with us.

As you think about which type of lighting to use in your home, you should consider how you can use colour temperature to optimise your living areas. Here’s everything you need to know.

The benefits of choosing the right light bulb

The light bulbs you choose will determine the atmosphere and ambience of your rooms. Think about what the needs of each spare are. Is your chandelier purely decorative? Or will it be used as the main light source?

Choosing the right bulb helps you to:

• Create brilliance and sparkle
• Create warmth and cosiness
• Be more energy efficient

We’re going to give you the Luxury Lighting Boutique lowdown on the pros and cons of the various types of bulbs. A little bit of research beforehand will save you time and money.

The types of light bulbs

Selecting chandelier bulbs for your crystal light fixture may sound confusing. Chandelier light bulbs come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. We’re going to break the bulbs down for you. Figuratively.

Incandescent bulbs

Incandescent bulbs are the most familiar type of household bulb. The styles are chandelier or candelabra bulbs, standard bulbs such as “A” or “G”, and flood lamps.  

These bulbs have a screw-in base and are easy to install. 

For incandescent bulbs the wire filament is heated, then the light is emitted.  

We always recommend a good quality clear bulb as opposed to frosted as it allows the crystal to pop. 

Although incandescent bulbs are the least energy-efficient, it doesn’t mean they don’t have a place in your decision making.

Halogen bulbs

Halogen bulbs are technically incandescent bulbs but are slightly more energy-efficient and longer-lasting.  

A halogen bulb has a glass envelope with gas inside the envelope. 

As skin oils can cause a halogen bulb to burn out, the glass portion of the glass shouldn’t be touched with a bare hand. 

Clear halogen bulbs are the perfect choice for many modern crystal chandeliers, ceiling lights, and sconces.

LED bulbs

LED bulbs are a firm favourite. They are the most energy-efficient bulbs and the most environmentally friendly. 

The savings on your electricity bills will eventually cover the onset cost of the bulb over time. 

Generally speaking, a good quality LED bulb is long-lasting.

Like anything else, quality is important. A high-quality light bulb makes your crystal chandelier pop. 

How to choose an LED bulb

Choosing the right LED light bulb for your fixture is the best way to achieve the desired effect of your room. 

Light colour is measured in degrees, which is referred to as Kelvin (K). 

A lower temperature bulb will emit a soft yellow/white light, whereas a higher temperature will have a blue tone.

Soft white has a more yellow tone and ranges between 2000K to 3000K. This tends to be the preferred tone for bedrooms, living rooms, and dens. Most like the light given off from incandescent bulbs.

Warm white ranges between 3100K to 4500K and appears rather white, which works well for task lighting in the kitchen, bathroom, and workspace.

Daylight or cool white is next with a range between 4600K and 6500K. This has a blue-white tone, which is perfect for reading. It is ideal for task lighting.

Last but not least, bright White is over 6500K with a bright blue quality and is ideal for spaces that require a very high intensity of light output.

We suggest either warm white or soft white to achieve the best quality of light and sparkle in a crystal chandelier. 2700k is ideal for crystal light fixtures. It gives off warm hues and brings out the best in your chandelier. Additionally, the warm white or soft white will enhance the reflective qualities of the crystal.

Ready to purchase a chandelier?

We hope this has helped you to narrow down your search for the perfect lighting. If you’d like more information or to book an appointment, contact us here.

View our full chandelier collection here.

Read our cheat sheet on how to choose the right size of chandelier for your space.